The paper briefly surveys some of the computer based systems now available for the preliminary design of ships up to the final tendering stage; the paper then outlines techniques currently used for the computer production of control tapes for plate definition and cutting etc., by numerical control and/or the presentation of information through automatic draughting. Research now in progress which will extend from the preliminary design into the detail design of steelwork is described, and a system is discussed by which the first phase of real integration of design and production will be produced for use by the industry in the next few years. The final part of the paper suggests some of the longer term and comprehensive developments towards integration which could be undertaken during the latter part of the 1970s in order to meet what may be the design and production requirements for the 1980s. An attempt is also made to assess both the need and advantages of integration for the shipbuilding industry quite apart from the exciting challenge any solutions will present to those concerned with the furthering of an inter-disciplinary and systems approach to industrial advancement.
DESIGN AND PRODUCTION OF AIR MOUSE
